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Atletico Madrid striker in trouble over tongue taunt

"You could see his tongue from the bench. He has a very long and snakelike tongue."

Antonio Tapia, Malaga coach

Malaga coach Antonio Tapia said Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres should be sanctioned for a goal celebration which "incited violence," according to news reports yesterday.

Torres pulled his tongue out and covered his ears as he ran toward the corner flag after converting a penalty in his team's 2-0 Spanish league win in Malaga last Sunday. Some of the home team's followers behind the goal hurled objects at the striker in response.

"This was a provocation for the spectator which deserves a sanction. You could see his tongue from the bench. He has a very long and snakelike tongue," Tapia was quoted as saying in El Pais.

"Just as we will be fined for throwing objects, the player must also be fined," he said.

Torres, who will lead Spain's attack in the crucial World Cup qualifier against Belgium tomorrow, said his celebration had resulted from an agreement with former Atletico midfielder, Jorge Larena.

Tapia also added his voice to widespread criticism of Real Madrid's Brazilian players for imitating animals to greet recent goals, saying they were showing "a lack of respect."

Last week, Alaves president Dmitry Piterman called Ronaldo, Robinho and Roberto Carlos "spoilt kids" for wiggling their arms and legs while lying on their backs like cockroaches during Madrid's 3-0 win on Sept. 25.

Spain's Anti-Violence Commission called on the country's soccer federation to open a disciplinary charge against Piterman for his outburst.

Real Madrid defender Ivan Helguera said earlier this week that his Brazilian teammates' habit could annoy their fellow players as well as opposing sides.
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